Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices and methods for propelling fluids that feature at least one first pump assembly having a primary pump, an accumulator pump, drive means, valve means and control means. The valve means moves between the first position and the second position as the accumulator pump and primary pump alternate between a loading movement and a pump movement. The control means is in signal communication with the accumulator pump, the primary pump and the valve means. The control means issues signal command to the accumulator pump to assume the loading movement and the pump movement and the primary pump to assume the loading movement and pump movement in coordination with the movement of the valve means such that fluids are propelled from the first outlet.

Abstract: A method for extracting at least one target compound from a sample includes injecting an overloaded amount of the sample into a chromatographic conduit (110), and flowing a solvent having a time-varying composition through the conduit (110). An apparatus for extracting at least one target compound from a sample includes a chromatography module, a mass-spectrometry module in fluid communication with the chromatography module to receive a portion of an eluent from the chromatography module, and a control unit in communication with the chromatography module and the mass-spectrometry module.

Abstract: A fault detection system for protecting a mass spectrometer from the effects of temperature extremes. The system comprises an ion block, a thermal source for providing thermal energy to the ion source block, a temperature sensor providing a reading for the temperature of the ion source block, a temperature regulation means for controlling the thermal source in dependence of the reading and a control system for monitoring the temperature change produced by the energy source. The control system is adapted to monitor the rate of change of the reading provided by the temperature sensor relative to the thermal energy provided to the ion block.

Abstract: A method of producing high frequency high amplitude AC voltages with control of the phase angle between outputs from a plurality of generators having individual DC current controlled variable inductors which method comprises controlling the timing of the circuit to allow inputs at the same frequency to have their phase angle preserved. All the outputs are phase locked and synchronized to a common external timed signal and programmed to the same output frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods for performing mass spectrometry. Data pair information is subjected to an ion audit process in which data pair information that relates to scored compounds is subtracted from the data pair information. The depleted information more readily reveals data pair information for compounds present with smaller signals.

Abstract: A mass analyser (2) is provided comprising a plurality of electrodes having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A plurality of pseudo-potential corrugations are created along the axis of the mass ((analyser 2). The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential corrugations is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages are applied to the electrodes of the mass analyser (2) in order to urge ions along the length of the mass analyser (2). The amplitude of the transient DC voltages applied to the electrodes is increased with time and ions are caused to be emitted from the mass analyser (2) in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio. Two AC or RF voltages are applied to the electrodes. The first AC or RF voltage is arranged to provide optimal pseudo-potential corrugations whilst the second AC? or RF voltage is arranged to provide optimal radial confinement of ions within the mass analyser (2).

Abstract: The present invention is a pressurized fluid sample injector system consisting of a sample needle, multiport valve, sample loop, metering syringe and a pressure assist pump. The speed of sample transport into the sample loop is increased by pressurizing the fluid in the system and metering the sample into the sample loop. The elevated system pressure allows the fluids to be moved faster than the vapor pressure would normally allow in a system at ambient pressure.

Abstract: A method for the analysis of mixtures of components includes separating or partially separating different components of a mixture of a sample by means that causes the components to elute sequentially over a period of time, forming precursor ions from the components in the eluent, repeatedly switching, altering or varying an Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation device back and forth between a hi-fragmentation mode and a low-fragmentation mode to alternately produce product ions from the precursor ions in the hi-fragmentation mode and to produce substantially fewer product ions in the low-fragmentation mode, and obtaining mass spectra during the period of time from the precursor and product ions received from the Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of identifying parent ions by matching daughter ions found to be produced at substantially the same time that the parent ions elute from a mixture. Ions emitted from an ion source (1) are transmitted to a fragmentation device (4) comprising an Electron Capture Dissociation, an Electron Transfer Dissociation or a Surface Induced Dissociation fragmentation device. The fragmentation device (4) is alternately and repeatedly switched between a first mode wherein the ions are substantially fragmented to produce daughter ions and a second mode wherein the ions are not substantially fragmented. Mass spectra are taken in both modes. At the end of an experimental run parent and daughter ions are recognized by comparing the mass spectra obtained in the two different modes. Daughter ions are matched to particular parent ions on the basis of the closeness of fit of their elution times, and this enables parent ions then to be identified.

Abstract: An ion guide or mass analyser (2) is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes (2a) having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A pseudo-potential barrier is created at the exit of the ion guide or mass analyser (2). The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential barrier is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages (4) are applied to the electrodes (2a) of the ion guide or mass analyser (2) in order to urge ions along the length of the ion guides or mass analyser (2). The amplitude of the transient DC voltage (4) applied to the electrode (2a) may be increased with time so that ions are caused to be emitted from the ion guide or mass analyser (2) in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing chemical analyses includes a mass spectrometry module and an interface module that processes sample materials for delivery to the mass spectrometry module. The interface module includes a vessel having an opening to access a vessel chamber, a door to block the opening, a sealing member disposed between the door and the vessel, and an interlock. The interlock is actuated by the sealing member if the door is in the closed position and the sealing member is properly disposed between the door and the vessel to seal the vessel. The sealing member alternatively includes an indicator portion that is visible to an operator if the door is in the closed position and the sealing member is properly disposed.

Abstract: A multi-turn Time of Plight mass analyzer is disclosed comprising a first electric sector (5) and a second electric sector (8). The second electric sector (8) is arranged orthogonal to the first electric sector (5). Ions may make multiple loops or circuits of the mass analyzer before being detected and mass analyzed enabling a high resolution mass analyzer to be provided. According to another embodiment the mass analyzer may have an open-loop geometry wherein the first electric sector is elongated and further electric sectors are arranged in a staggered manner along the length of the first electric sector. The first and second electric sectors (5,8) may be sub-divided into a plurality of electric sector segments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrospray device for mass spectrometry that includes a fluid inlet, an outlet orifice, and a passage for fluid communication between the fluid inlet and outlet orifice. This passage is formed from a capillary (i.e., a first capillary). This first capillary (3) partially houses a second capillary (7) such that the outlet orifice is narrowed. A portion (17) of the second capillary extends beyond the first capillary. This extension permits a practitioner to clip away obstructed portions of the second capillary.

Abstract: A system and method for mass analysis where a sample (102) is separated in a liquid chromatograph (104), and subsequently analyzed in a mass spectrometer (112).

Abstract: A Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization ion source or ion imaging device is disclosed comprising a laser (1) and a zoom lens (3, 4, 5). The zoom lens (3, 4, 5) is arranged to be able to vary the magnification of a laser beam which is directed onto a target region, sample surface or target plate (13) of the ion source or ion imaging device.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a mixture of components includes forming precursor ions from the components, alternately causing the precursor ions to pass to and to by-pass a fragmentation device, to form product ions from the precursor ions that pass to the device and to form substantially fewer product ions from precursor ions that by-pass the device, and obtaining mass spectra from product ions received from the device and from precursor ions that by-passed the device. An apparatus for analyzing a sample includes an ion source for forming precursor ions from the components of the sample, a fragmentation device for forming product ions from the precursor ions, a by-pass device disposed upstream of the fragmentation device for switchable by-pass of the fragmentation device, and a mass analyzer.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4) and an ion guide (6) arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4). A plurality of axial potential wells are created in the ion guide (6) so that ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4) become confined in separate axial potential wells. The potential wells maintain the fidelity and/or composition of ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator (4). The potential wells are translated along the length of the ion guide (6).

Abstract: A device (6) for separating ions according to differences in their ion mobility as a function of electric field strength is disclosed. The device (6) comprises an upper electrode (7a), a lower electrode (7b) and a plurality of intermediate electrodes (8). An asymmetric voltage waveform is applied to the upper electrode (7a) and a DC compensating voltage is applied to the lower electrode (7b).

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography system (10) which is interfaced to a combustion chamber (16) and isotope ratio mass analyser (19) by means of an Electrospray Ionisation ion source (11) and a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry device (13). Analyte and solvent molecules are ionised by the ion source (11). Desired analyte ions are substantially onwardly transmitted by the Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry device (13) to the combustion chamber (16) whereas undesired solvent ions are substantially attenuated by the Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry device (13).

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion beam attenuator which attenuates an ion beam repeatedly switching between a zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T1 and a non-zero transmission mode of operation during a time period ?T2. The degree of attenuation of the ion beam can be varied by varying the mark space ratio ?T2/?T1. The ion beam attenuator may release ions in packets or pulses but the packets or pulses of ions may be converted into a continuous ion beam by a relatively high pressure ion guide or gas collision cell arranged downstream of the ion beam attenuator.